Obtaining patient permission for student participation in obstetric-gynecologic outpatient visits: a randomized controlled trial

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 189; no. 3; pp. 634 - 638
• Main Authors: Berry, Robert E, O'Dell, Katharine, Meyer, Bruce A, Purwono, Urip
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Mosby, Inc 01.09.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Ambulatory Care; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Gynecology; Health participants; Humans; Informed Consent; Male; Medical sciences; Medical students; Obstetrics; outpatient department; patient permission; Patient Satisfaction; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Students, Medical; Surveys and Questionnaires; Medical students; patient satisfaction; patient permission; outpatient department; Human; Participation; Statistical analysis; Gynecology; Physician; Patient; Student; Obstetrics; Care; Prospective; Agreement; Randomization; Female
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1067/S0002-9378(03)00876-7

Our purpose was to compare a scripted verbal query with a detailed written permission slip in obtaining patient satisfaction and permission for student involvement in outpatient obstetrics-gynecologic visits. A prospective, randomized, controlled study was performed using a questionnaire to compare current practice to the study groups. The χ 2 test was used to calculate P values; P<.05 was considered significant. Patient demographics and satisfaction were similar among the three groups: 86% of controls and 79% of study groups agreed to student participation ( P = .056). All preferred having the nurse ask permission (86% vs 86%) versus the physician (34% vs 25%) or the student (6% vs 3%). Permission was independent of student gender, visit purpose, or previous exposure to students. Patients want a nonphysician to ask permission for student participation independent of method of request, visit purpose, student gender, or previous experience with students. Physician or student requests for consent may unduly influence participation.